How I rate things, generally based off of writing only:
* Art must be great or must not be distracting. If art is distracting for any reason, I may ding it a star depending on how much so.
* Plot must make sense. Plot must build upon it self with an A->B->C->D progression.
* Setups must have payoffs. Payoffs must have setups. If there are a large amount of these dangling, then I might deduct a star.
* Characters must be interesting and/or likeable and have their own personalities. If they are cliche shoujo stereotypes that don't deviate much, it is likely a star will be deducted.
* Background details - characters who are moody or reactive or impulsive must have a reasonable backstory explanation. If characters behave abnormally without background/explanation, a star will likely be deducted.
* Setting details. Characters should go to work or school. There should be side characters who have names and dialog that aren't involved directly in the main romance. Characters should have families, or reasons why their families are gone. Characters living alone should have some explanation for how their living expenses are covered.
* Common cliches/tropes, like sick-in-the-rain, forced drinking, getting a character drunk to move the plot along, etc. Over-reliance on these will get a 1-star deduction.
* Everyone's gay, all girls are harpies, stockholm-syndrome plots, gay men are predators, homophobes, purposeless (story-wise) rape, and other problematic cliches will get a 1 or more star deduction depending on the depth of offenses.
* Grounded in reality. BL-crazyworld insanity will break emersion, and will get a 1-star deduction if severe enough. Adult characters should behave like adults, people should have realistic worries about life, characters should consider their sexuality before dive-bombing into someone's ahole, no overreliance on too many unlikely chance encounters.
* Writing 101 violations - author should have basic writing competence and know how to frame scenes, perform scene transitions, set and maintain a tone, maintain consistent and aggressive pacing, grow characters, thread side characters in and out, string plots together coherently, and end a story in a satisfactory way, tying up all important lose ends.
* Engagement - story must be engaging from the beginning to the end (or near to the end) or I will deduct 1-star. Things that are slogs to get through, usually due to pacing issues and a lot of problems related to the above, will get multiple stars deducted.
* Writing always trumps art - I can put up with some of what people would consider really sloppy/bad art if the writing in the story is good. The writing is by far the most important element. But good art will help eliminate unnecessary dialog bubbles and verbal explanation, and solid/good character expressions really add to the emotional feel of a scene. These get bonus points.
* A-plot/B-plot structure. Stories should have multiple things going on in the characters' lives, not just a romance. Work/school/family drama at the least, or mystery, fantastical, sportsball, etc. Stories without a main non-romance A-plot must be really well written to get full points from me.
The plot is a bit messy with the weird, seemingly unnecessary superpowers stuff, but man, the characters are spot-on and perfect. the older uke acts like a mature adult, there's no screaming, sobbing, and running away in the streets. the younger seme acts much more immature and goofy but sincere.
i don't think this story was intended to be a comedy but reflecting back upon what i just read, i find myself chuckling about it. certainly, some of their interactions and the seme's reactions are pretty funny. this really boils down to an out-of-control misunderstanding between the two, but the seme can't fix it/clarify it because of the power dynamic between them (boss/employee) without risk of getting fired.
I wish the rating wasn't so low, since it feels like people will pass it by without even considering it. but it's a quick/brisk read, and only a handful of chapters. Definitely worth a read.